Almost crawling

Funny how I am almost eight months old and haven't yet learned how to crawl. That's okay, I am showing signs of pre-crawling activity, like spending time on my tummy, doing baby pushups, rolling back-to-front and front-to-back, even rocking and pivoting. We babies develop at our own pace and most reference texts don't give a timeframe for learning to crawl since this milestone is highly variable. Some infants skip crawling altogether, instead scooting on their butts or graduating directly to walking.

Either way, I am happy on my handmade quilt (Thank you Kem and Uncle Misha). I especially like the fish pattern on the big squares. Mama and Papa like to place toys just out of reach to encourage crawling activity. How mean. Sometimes I get frustrated because I can't get to them, but life is not always a bowl of cherries.

Oooh, forgot to mention that my first two teeth have come in. Another baby milestone under my belt. I haven't given Papa a chance to take a picture yet, besides they're just little nubs at the moment. Someday I'll be able to use my teeth on solid food - mmmm meat.

Sliding and standing

Over at the elementary school, on any given sunny afternoon, one will find lots of kids climbing on the playground equipment. If you are lucky you'll find me, Mama and Papa there too. I have taken to the slide like a fish to water. It makes me very happy to slide down by myself, head-first if possible. I have been able to climb up the stairs by myself too. If you haven't been down a good slide recently, I highly recommend it.

If you haven't noticed, some of my recent pictures suggest that I have been standing on my own. Perhaps even walking a little. Well, on the eve of my 16-month birthday, I can honestly say that I am on my way to being a full fledged walker, a categorical toddler. For long distances, say from the couch to the love seat, I'll still get down on all fours and crawl. But on the odd occasion bipedal transport seems the better option.

And some recent vocabulary as of today. Moo are the animals that look like dogs but are much bigger. Neigh (horses) are animals that look like dogs but are brown. Duck are the small yellow animals in the bathtub and kitty cat is just too darn hard to pronounce.

Come on in

Saturday was hot again. To beat the heat, Mama suggested that we go down to Santana Row in San Jose to cool off. She knew there was a small fountain there with a grassy area nearby - perfect for us to find some lunch and take a dip.

I find the trouble with most parents is they are less lenient about letting their kids into the water. Try as I might, most of the other kids were only allowed to put their feet in the cool water. Come on in, the water's fine. I get to sit in it, and crawl around until my heart's content. There were even river rocks in this fountain to shuffle about. This is exactly what happened the other weekend at Happy Hollow. Grown-ups seem to misunderstand the need for small boys to be wet. I'd bet they'd enjoy it. Secretly I know they were envious.

Remains of the day

Sometimes it's nice to just lie still and enjoy the remains of the day. Sometimes it's better to resist sleep and squirm around until Alex Trebek calls Jeopardy done. Either way, the outcome is the same. After a snuggle with Mama or Papa, we make the short trip to my bedroom, put any toys to "nigh-nigh" on the bookshelf, and I crawl under my blanket for a nice sleep.

I have a new cat friend who sleeps with me because he's very soft. He's the one accompanying me on safari in the backyard. Most days he doesn't get to come outside, but stays in bed and awaits my return. Hey, how come cats never have to wear any pants? Unfair.

Birthday pie

Happy Second Birthday to me. I can't believe it has already been two years since I entered this World. That's not very long when you consider my parents are both *many* years older than that. But two years has been my life in entirety: put another way, I've been here a little over 104 weeks, or 730 days, or 17,520 hours.

During that time, I've figured out that pizza is good food (I also know what my parents mean when they say, "b-a-g-e-l" but that's a different story). Mama and I celebrated a combination birthday dinner since hers came earlier this week. Even this deep dish of meaty goodness couldn't stand up to my fork. I ate a whole slice and wanted more but was warned to save room for cake and presents.

Thanks for reading my online blog entries these past two years. I've changed a lot; you have witnessed me learning to crawl, stand, walk, run, talk, and essentially potty-train. Don't worry though; I don't plan to rest on my laurels - I intend on building upon what I've learned. There is just too much Life out in front of me not to do so.

Mr. standing man

I learned something this weekend. Not too long ago I learned how to crawl. This weekend I learned how to stand up and 'surf' around furniture. How exciting. It all started when Papa left an empty Huggies box on the floor in my room. I went to investigate and all of the sudden was standing up all by myself. Did it several times to assure myself it was ok. I wonder how much earlier it could've happened had there been a Huggies box around. I know I enjoy crawling, but this standing and walking could be great.

Crawling is freedom

Much to my parents' dismay, this week I've realized crawling is freedom. Not only is it the obvious one of getting to where I want, but also it is getting away from where I do not want to be. That's freedom. Remember when you were fifteen and received your driver's permit? You were not allowed to drive with friends, or drive after dark, but what a sense of autonomy. Crawling is like that for me.

Although I am not as accomplished or 'smooth' as some of my friends at daycare, I definitely have my own crawling style. As you can clearly see in this picture, I am using my left leg much like one would expect, the right one is being used as a long lever. No knee involved. Sure I could crawl in the traditional manner, but why be conformist? See you later.